Friday, February 26, 2010

Magic Casting Alternative (d20 system)

This variant adds a new ability score called (magical) "Aptitude" and divorces it from traditional physical attributes.

During character creation you roll 5d10. For every 1 you roll you get a +1 modifier to a your "Aptitude" score. (Your character is considered the lowest score that would grant that ability modifier) This represents a supernatural almost "destiny" element to your character.

Sorcerer Variant Class: Destined SorcererAlignment: AnyWeapon & Armor Proficiency: As SorcererSpells:A Destined Sorcerer casts arcane spells drawn primarily from the sorcerer/wizard spell list presented in Chapter 10 (Pathfinder CRB). She can cast any spell she knows without preparing it ahead of time. To learn or cast a spell, a Destined Sorcerer must have a Aptitude score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a sorcerer’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the Destined Sorcerer’s Aptitude modifier. Like other spellcasters, a sorcerer can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. Her base daily spell allotment is given on Table 3–14 (Note: as sorcerer). In addition, she receives bonus spells per day if she has a high Aptitude score (see Table 1–3).

A Destined Sorcerer’s selection of spells is extremely limited. A Destined Sorcerer begins play knowing four 0-level spells and two 1st-level spells of her choice. At each new Destined Sorcerer level, she gains one or more new spells, as indicated on Table 3–15. (Unlike spells per day, the number of spells a Destined Sorcerer knows is not affected by her Aptitude score; the numbers on Table 3–15 are fixed.) These new spells can be common spells chosen from the sorcerer/wizard spell list, or they can be unusual spells that the sorcerer has gained some understanding of through study.

Upon reaching 4th level, and at every even-numbered Destined Sorcerer level after that (6th, 8th, and so on), a Destined Sorcerer can choose to learn a new spell in place of one she already knows. In effect, the Destined Sorcerer loses the old spell in exchange for the new one. The new spell’s level must be the same as that of the spell being exchanged. A Destined Sorcerer may swap only a single spell at any given level, and must choose whether or not to swap the spell at the same time that she gains new spells known for the level.

Unlike a wizard or a cleric, a Destined Sorcerer need not prepare her spells in advance. She can cast any spell she knows at any time, assuming she has not yet used up her spells per day for that spell level.

Cantrips: Destined Sorcerer learn a number of cantrips, or 0-levelspells, as noted on Table 3–15 under “Spells Known.” Thesespells are cast like any other spell, but they do not consumeany slots and may be used again.

Touch of Destiny (Sp): At 1st level, you can touch a creatureas a standard action, giving it an insight bonus on attackrolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws equalto 1/2 your Destined Sorcerer level (minimum 1) for 1 round. You canuse this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + yourAptitude modifier.

Aura of Destiny (Su): Starting at 3rd level, you gain +1 natural armorAt 7th level and every four levels thereafter, thisbonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 19th level.

Coming Destiny (Su): At 15th level, your ultimate destinyis drawing near. Once per day, when an attack or spellthat causes damage would result in your death, you mayattempt a DC 20 Aptitude roll. If successful, you are insteadreduced to –1 hit points and are automatically stabilized.

Destiny Realized (Su): At 20th level, your moment ofdestiny is at hand. Any critical threats made againstyou only confirm if the second roll results in a natural20 on the die. Any critical threats you score with a spellare automatically confirmed. Once per day, you canautomatically succeed at one caster level check madeto overcome spell resistance. You must use this abilitybefore making the roll.